IP32 vs IP50
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP32 and IP50 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 3 vs 5) and liquid protection (level 2 vs 0). IP32 is rated for > 2.5 mm — tool / wire and dripping water at 15° tilt, while IP50 provides dust-protected and no protection.
Under IEC 60529, IP32 specifies protection against solid objects larger than 2.5 mm and protection against vertically falling drops of water when the enclosure is tilted up to 15° from its normal position.. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 3 with second-digit (liquid) level 2.
Under IEC 60529, IP50 specifies dust-protected (limited ingress, no harmful deposit) and no protection against water. It is an IEC 60529 ingress protection code combining first-digit (solid) level 5 with second-digit (liquid) level 0.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP32
3 — > 2.5 mm — Tool / Wire
IP50
5 — Dust-Protected
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP32
2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
IP50
0 — No Protection
Dust-tight
IP32
No
IP50
Limited
Water-jet resistant
IP32
No
IP50
No
Submersible
IP32
No
IP50
No
Outdoor suitable
IP32
No
IP50
No
The exact difference (IP32 vs IP50)
Solid protection
IP32
Level 3 — > 2.5 mm — Tool / Wire
IP50
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP32 provides "> 2.5 mm — Tool / Wire" (level 3), while IP50 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5). IP50 is 2 levels higher.
Liquid protection
IP32
Level 2 — Dripping Water at 15° Tilt
IP50
Level 0 — No Protection
IP32 provides "Dripping Water at 15° Tilt" (level 2), while IP50 provides "No Protection" (level 0). IP32 is 2 levels higher.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP32 and IP50 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.